Heater



Jan. 19 1926. 1,570,017 H. B. TYLER HEATER -Filed May 19, 1921 Sheets-Sheet 1 m I l.

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Jan. 19 1926. 1,570,017

H. B. TYLER HEATER Filed May 19 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet A2 16 J5' 14 I5 /29\ I/ g 21) l?? WSWMMM Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES HERBERT B. TYLER, OF yVALPARAISO, INDIANA.

HEATER.

Application led Kay 19, 1921. Serial No. 470,857.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT B. TYLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Valparaiso, in the county of Porter and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains in general to heating devices, ahd more particularly has to dowith an improved motor vehicle heater of the type employing through radiation the heat in the exhaust gases of the motor.

The main and primary object of the invention, broadly stated, is the provision of an inexpensive yet highly eflicient and inconspicuously attractive heater of the aforesaid type adapted for ready installation in the licor of vehicle bodies.

Other important objects are the provision of such, a heater which has incorporated therewith convenient and easilv operated means for regulating the flow o'f-heated gases thereto; means accessible for manipulation from above the heater approximately at the center of the grating to permit of the easy opening of a closure in the bottom of the heater casing to remove any accumulations through such opening; highly radiating gas passage structures; means adapted to give ready access to the gas passage in said structures for the purpose of cleaning the same; and means for insulating the heater at certain points whereby convection andV conduction of heat therefrom in all but the desired directions is prevented.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as its character is more fully set forth in the subjoined description and accompanying drawings wherein is presented what is now considered to be a referred embodiment of the invention. Since this embodiment. however, is obviously ca able of many slight variations'in unessentia structural details which would be in no way at variance with the spirit of the invention, the specific vform hereinafter disclosed is to be understood as not placing any unnecessary limitations on the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the heater of this invention, with portions of the grating and of the radiating gas assage structure at one end broken away to disclose more clearly the construction therebelow;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the heater, showing its connection with the exhaust lead of the vehicle motor;

Fig. 5 is a face view of the heater control mounted in the instrument board of the vehicle;

Fig. 6 is a section taken diametrically through said control on approximately the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a detail bottom view of said control taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 thereof, the numeral l() designates generally a rectangular heater casing which is composed of two s aced and substantially similar stam metal shells 11 and 12 between whic is disposed a heat insulatin filler 13 of asbestos or the like. The casinglO is open at the top and is there formed about its peripher into an outwardly-projecting continuous ange 14 on which the solid marginal portion l5 of a rectangular grate 16 is adapted to seat. This rate spans the top of the casing 10 flush wit the `vehicle flooring 17, and towards its center increases in thickness, as shown in the cross-sectional views of the saine, whereby an integral truss structure is provided to resist successfully heavy downward forces thereon. Bolts 18 pass throu h the marginal portion 15 of the grate, the ange 14 o f the casing and the adjacent ooring 17 1n order to secure the same rigidly together.

Within the chamber defined b the casing 10 and the grate 16 is dispose a radiator 19 which is constructed integrally as a casting and characterized by a plurality of parallel diamond-'sha ed tubes 2O o ening at both ends into'simi ar transverse tu s 21.

One of said transverse tubes 21 is provided, intermediate its length, with a. flanged downwardly-opening aperture 22 adapted to connect, exteriorl of the casing through an aperture 23 therein, with a similarly anged elbow inlet pipe 24 through which the exhaust gases of the motor enter the gas passages in the tubes 20 and 21 of the radiator 19. Machine screws 25 pass through these flanges and the casing 10 in` order to position both the radiator 19 within the casing and the inlet pipe 24 on the bottom thereof in proper alignment with the apertures 22 and 23. The other of said transverse tubes 21 is likewise provided, intermediate its length, with a flanged downwardly-opening aperture 26 adapted to connect, exteriorly of the casing through an aperture 27 therein, with a flanged elbow outlet pipe 28 through which the exhaust gases leave the radiator 19 after having in transit therethrough imparted their heat to the inside surfaces of the same. In employing the above described means to effect a rigid positioning both of the radiator and of the inlet and outlet pipes relative to the casing, the radiator is so disposed within the casing as to be equally spaced from the sides thereof and also separated from the bottom below and from the grate 16 above.

The diamond-shaped tubes 20 and 21 are cast integrally, as above indicated, with their longer transverse axes upright whereby abundant space for the convection of air currents therebetween is provided even when said tubes are positioned with their lon itudinal axes relatively close together.

ertically-elongated rectangular radiating fins 29 are formed integrally1 with the diamond-shaped tubes 2O and 21 at regular intervals along their lengths. The shape and disposition of these fins relative to the diamond-shaped walls of the tubes are clearly shown in Fi s. 2 and 3. .The construction of the radlator as described provides a maximum of radiating surface in proportion to the cross-sectional area of the gas passages therein, resulting in an adequate radiating surface heated by gas passages suflicienttly small to avoid the undesirable slu gishness therein of the heated gases whici is present in equal radiatin(y surfaces formed from round or square tube radiators.

Apertures 30 are formed in the ends of the radiator 19 in the wall of the transverse tubes 21 at points aligned with the passages in the tubes 20. These apertures are closed at each end of the radiator by a plate 31 which has stamped in the surface thereof bosses 32 which fit into each of said apertures. Machine screws 33 pass through the plate 31 intermediate said bosses and enter threaded apertures in lugs which project from the radiator, whereby to position each plate rigidly while allowing quick detachment thereof for the purpose of cleaning carbon and like dbris from the gas passages in the radiator tubes.

The bottom of the casing 10 of the heater is downwardly inclined towards its center where it is provided with a circular aperture 34 which is normally closed from below by a disk valve 35 whose upper surface slopes downward toward its rim so as to cause accumulative dirt to fall o' when the valve is opened. The stem 36 of this valve projects upwardly through an integral guiding web 37 formed between two of the tubes 20 and is provided at its upper end with an integral press button 38 disposed in a cir* cular aperture approximately in the center of the grating and flush with the to o thereof. A helical coil spring 39 is disposed about the valve stem between the guiding web 37 and the button 38 whereby to exert an upward pressure on the valve or closure sullic1ent to maintain the same normally in a closed position in the casing aperture 34. This inclined shaping of the bottom of the casing to a readily opened central drain provides a most convenient means for cleaning the casing of the heater of dbris sifted thereinto. If necessary water may be poured through the grating 1G and the open valve 35 whereupon all foreign particles of matter will be carried through the aperture 34 in the casing and the latter be thoroughly drained. Ordinarily the bottom and valve may be sloped sufficiently to allow the deposited dirt to jar off as the valve is opened while the engine is in motion.

T 1e means for controlling the flow of exhaust gases to the heater will now be delineated. Referring more in particular to Fig. 4 it will be noted that the )reviously described inlet ipe 24 of the heater is connected by a exible tube 4() to a Y-shaped pipe 41 inserted in the exhaust pipe 42 of the motor between the latter (not shown) and its muffler 43. This Y-shaped pipe 41 is provided in its two branches leading to the heater and to the muiller with butterfly valves 44 and 45 respectively. The shafts of these valves are provided at corresponding ends with lever arms 46 and 47 which are connected, as shown, for synchronous operation by a link 48 whereby when the valve 45 is opened the valve 44 is automatically closed, and when the valve 45 is closed the valve 44 is automatically opened. From this arrangement it will be observed that however wide the valve 45 is opened the valve 44 will be closed in a reciprocal proportion thereto resulting in a passage or passages of gas in one or both of the branches of the Y-shaped tube which remains constant in volume regardless of the amount of flow of the gas diverted to the heater. Inasmuch as balanced butterfly valves are employed in this connection, neither valve tends to open or close due to pressure of the exhaust gas impinging thereon, nor is,any resistance from this source met with in the manipulation of the same. In order to operate the valves 44 and 45 a lever arm 49 is provided on the shaft of the valve 45 adjacent to the lever arm 47 carried thereby. A flexible wire or cord 50 is attached to the outer end of the arm 49 and is led forward, over pulleys 51 dislll posed where necessary, to the heater control on the instrument board of the vehicle. A spring 52 is attached between the lever arm 49 and some point on the exhaust pipe 42 whereby to return the valve 45 tov an open position when tension on the wire 50 is relieved. A stud 53 projects from the Y- shaped pipe 41 in the path of the lever arm 49 in or er to prevent the same from moving to a position under action of the spring 52 wherein the valve 45 has passed the fully open position. l' v The previously referred to heater control is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. The numeral 54 designatesacircular plate provided on its under side with an integral cylindrical hub portion 55 disposed within an aperture in the inclined instrument board 56 of the vehicle. The end of said hub portion op posite the plate 54 is threaded to receive a nut 57 which serves to hold the plate and hub in position on and within the board 56. A bore 58 is formed axially of the hub, and adjacent the threaded end thereof is made proportionately small whereby to form therewithin a shoulder 59. The stem portion 60 of a control handle 61 enters the large open end of the bore, and is therein immediately reduced in diameter to pass through the small ortion of the bore. A helical coil s ring 62 1s disposed about the reduced portion of the stem between the shoulder 59 of the hub and the enlarged upper portion of said stern, and serves to press the handle 61 outwardly. The bottom face of the hub portion 1s radially grooved by kerfs 63 which are adapted to receive partially therewithin a transverse pin 64 carried by the stem portion 60 exteriorly of the hub whereby to prevent rotation of the handle and to maintain the same in-any position desired through pressure of the spring 62 tending to press the pin 64 into a pair of said kerfs. Two bosses marked On and Off with, if desired, intermediate graduations, are formed on the plate 54 to limit the pivotal movement of the handle 61 therebetween. The end of the reduced portion of the stem 60 is rovided with a lever arm 65 to which the a jacent end of the flexible wire l50 operating the valves in the Y-shaped pipe 41 is attached. From this construction it will be appreciated that the exhaust gases from the motor may be directed into the heater in any desired proportion of their volume by merely turning the control handle 61 on applying thereto a slight downward pressure. Due to the spring pressed interlocking of the same with the hub portion the handle will maintain any intermediate position on the plate when released. When the handle is turned toward the close position thereof the retractive action of the spring 52 operates to return the valves toward their positions wherein ythe valve 44 is closed and the valve 45 opened.

T he heater of this invention provides incidentally a most eilicient muiiler when the gases are directed therethrough. If desired, a flexible tube 66 may be connected to the rearwardly opening outlet pipe 28 of the heater in order that the exhaust gases, instead of being discharged into the open below the vehicle will be discharged to the rear thereof.

In using the expression in the claims at a point in the center thereof it is not understood to mean the absolute geometrical center of the grating, but a location approximately at such center.

I claim: i

1. In a heater of the class described, a casing having a downwardly'sloping bottom and an aperture in said bottom, a radiator within the casing, a grate spanning the casing above the radiator, a door for closing the aperture from its under side, said door sloping downward toward its rim, and means disposed substantially flush with the grate at a point approximately in the center thereof above the door for operating the saine to open the aperture.

2. In a heater of the class described, a casing having an aperture in the bottom thereof, a radiator within the casing, a grate spanning the casing above the radiator, a door for closing the aperture therein, and an upwardly spring-pressed plunger disposed substantially flush with the grate at a point in the center thereof above the door for op-y erating the 'same to open the aperture` 3. In a heater of the class described, a casing having a bottom inclined downwardly to an aperture, a radiator within the casing, a grate spanning the casing above the radiator, a. vertically reciprocable door supported from above the bottom of the casing for closing the aperture therein', and an upwardly spring-pressed plunger disposed substantially flush with the grate at a point in the center thereof above the door for operating the same to open the aperture.

4. In a heater of the class described, a casing, a radiator therein including a plurality of substantially parallel tubes disposed in a common plane and opening at their ends into two transverse tubes which are formed integral therewith and one of which is provided in its side with apertures aligned with the bores of the parallel tubes, a plate detachably7 secured against the side of said apertured tube and provided with bosses adapted to plug said apertures, and a grate spanning the casing above said radiator.

5. In a heater of the class described, a casing, a radiator therein including a plurality of substantially parallel tubes opening at their ends into two transverse tubes which are formed integral therewith and which are provided in their sides with apertures aligned with the bores of the parallel tubes, plates detachabl secured against the sides of said aperture tubes and provided with bosses adapted to plug said apertures, and a grate spanning the casing above said radiator.

6. In a heater of the class described, a casing` a radiator therein including a plurality of substantially parallel tubes opening at their ends into two transverse tubes one of which is provided in its side with apertures aligned with the bores of the parallel tubes, a plate detachably secured against the side of sald apertured tube and provided with bosses adapted to plug said apertures, and a grate spanning the casing above said radiator.

7. In an automobile heater, a casing, a sloping bottom therefor having an opening therein, a heat radiating element in the casing, means for opening and closing the casing bottom comprising a single door whose top surface slopes downward radially, a grating on the casing and a central operating 'stem terminating in and accessible from above the grating adapted to control the opening and closing means.

8. In a heater of the class described, a casing having an aperture in the bottom there of, a radiator within the casin a grate spanning the casin above the ra iator, and a door for closing t e aperture in the casing, said door being supported independently of the bottom of the casing at a point spaced above the same centrally of the aperture.

9. In a heater of the class descrlbed, a. casing having an aperture in the bottom thereof, a radlator within the casin a grate spanning the casing above the ra iator, and a door for closing the aperture in the casing, a spring pressed stem extending upward from the door, said stem bein supported for endwise movement indepen ently of the bottom of the casing.

10. An automobile heater comprisin a casing having a central openin in its gob tom, a grating over the top o the casing, a heating element in the easing, a self-closing closure whose u per surface slopes downward toward its rim adapted to engage the under side of the casing, and means for operating the closure above the grating approximately at the center thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HERBERT B. TYLER. 

